Finance Globe

The Federal Reserve recently announced that it cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point, the first cut since the 2008 financial crisis. The new short-term range will be between 2% and 2.25%. The rate they reduced is the federal funds rate, which is what banks and other financial institutions charge one another for very short-term borrowing. Most consumers don’t do that sort of overnight borrowing, but the Fed’s moves still affect the borrowing...

If you are young and healthy, you probably are not that concerned about medical coverage. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t have an unexpected medical emergency and get you stuck with a huge medical bill. Some medical expenses can be so high they reach over 5 figures. Below are a few helpful tips and ideas. Please feel free to write any questions in the comments section below. Understand what happens when bills go unpaid: After a...

There is a lot that goes into starting a small business, with the financial side of doing so requiring plenty of attention. In a perfect scenario, you’d have all the money you need to start and grow your business from the ground up. But, even if this isn’t the case, there are still things you can do to get up and running. Here are several ways to secure financing to start a small business: •    Friends...

If you're dealing with multiple debts on your credit report or you're getting calls and letters from debt collectors, you may wonder if the debt is still valid. Debts generally don't "go away" just because they get older. However, older debts do reach a period where they should no longer affect you or your credit. There's a one time limit that a debt can be listed on your credit report and another for the amount of...

A suspicious charge on your credit card. Calls from collectors about accounts you didn't know of. Alerts of new inquiries on your credit report. These can all be signs that someone has stolen your identity. Confirming identity theft can take time. But if you think someone may be using your personal information, you want to prevent them from leaving more damage for you to clean up. Here's what you should do if you think your identity...

Comparing credit cards is both easier and more difficult than ever before. On the plus side, there are two things working in your favor: •    The large number of credit card offers to compare and choose from•    The ability to gather information online Conversely, a large number of credit card offers can also lead to frustration, as there’s always something else to consider. This can lead to a situation in which you’re afraid to take the...

There are many reasons to consider a business loan. While it may sound like the perfect idea, this is a big financial decision that will affect your business on many levels. Before you wholeheartedly decide in favor of a business loan, here are some of the most important questions to answer: •    Are you familiar with the many types of business loan? From term loans to equipment loans, understanding each type of loan can help you...

Do you typically receive at least one bonus check from your employer every year? Do you often struggle when deciding how to use the money? It’s not always easy to decide how to use a bonus check, but this is a good problem to have. If you need a push in the right direction, here are five ideas to consider: •    Add to your retirement savings: No matter how you do so, you can’t go wrong....

According to analysts at Kelley Blue Book, the average transaction price for light vehicles in the United States is hovering around $37,500. Even if you’re willing to spend this much on a new car – or more – it doesn’t mean you should make a foolish financial decision. There are various factors to consider when answering the question of how much you should spend on a new car. Here are a few things to keep in...

With summer vacation season in full swing, you may find yourself scouring car rental websites in search of the best deal. There are several key steps you can take to save money, thus leaving more cash in your budget for more exciting purchases. •    Book alongside other travel: For example, if you’re also booking a hotel and flight online, consider adding a rental car to the package. By booking everything at once, you’re in best position...